11 Killed in Night Attack on Christian Farming Community in Nigeria

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – A night raid by suspected Fulani militants in Bokkos County, Nigeria, left 11 Christians dead, including a pregnant woman, her husband, and a 10-year-old girl.

Survivors recounted a sudden 45-minute attack by suspected Fulani militants as mourners gathered for an 87-year-old elder, leaving the community in shock and grief.

Ruwi resident Tajot Stephen Alexander described the tragedy’s impact and the fear now gripping the village.“In the late evening, armed militants surprised us with their assault. We lost 11 valued lives, including a pregnant woman,” Alexander told International Christian Concern.

Plateau State Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang condemned the attack as a “barbaric act against innocent lives.” In a statement via his spokesman Bere Gyang, he offered condolences and vowed justice. “This brutal assault is not just an attack on individuals but on our shared humanity. We will work tirelessly to ensure those responsible are brought to justice,” he said, stressing the need for stronger security statewide.

Over the past five years, Nigeria has faced a troubling wave of violence attributed to Fulani militants, with Christian communities often bearing the brunt of these attacks. The violence, rooted in long-standing herder-farmer tensions, has escalated into deadly assaults that have left thousands dead and deepened religious and ethnic divisions.

Among the most devastating incidents was the December 2023 massacre in Plateau State, where nearly 300 Christians were killed in coordinated attacks during the Christmas season. Earlier that same year, in April 2023, between 130 and 200 people were killed in Mangu, also in Plateau State. In April 2024, another brutal attack left 10 Christians dead—among them a pregnant woman—during Easter gatherings. These tragic events are part of a grim pattern of targeted violence.

Other major incidents include the June 2021 massacre of at least 40 people in Odugbeho, Benue State, and the 2018 attack on a church that killed 19 and left dozens of homes burned. Despite government efforts, the ongoing violence has exposed deep gaps in security and governance, leaving vulnerable communities calling for urgent action and protection.

​In the 2025 Open Doors World Watch List, Nigeria is ranked 7th among the countries where Christians face the most severe persecution.

Despite intense persecution, the gospel continues to advance in Nigeria. Over the last twenty years, Christianity has grown steadily—from around 40% of the population in 2001 to nearly 50% today. In raw numbers, the Christian population has risen from an estimated 60 million in 2000 to about 96 million in 2020, with projections pointing to over 155 million by 2050.

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